San Pancho, the affectionate nickname for the town of San Francisco, is located in the heart of the sought after Riviera Nayarit coastal area.
In the early 70s, when Mexican President Luis EcheverrÃa landed his state helicopter on San Pancho’s glorious mile long beach, the four fishermen who lived in a straggle of modest homes along the shore welcomed him with amazement, followed by broad smiles and traditional Mexican hospitality.
Gazing at the Sierra Madre Mountains, shrouded in a tangle of jungle and palm forest, Echeverria knew he’d found what he’d been looking for -- an ideal location for the utopian Mexican village he’d dreamed of creating. In short order, he convinced the fishermen to exchange their nets for Cement mixers, move their extended families to San Pancho, and join him in building a model Mexican town that would lure international investors.
Echeverria built houses for the residents, planted mango orchards and expanded the coconut palm forests to create a source of income for the town. He constructed an agricultural university, juicing and bottling plants, schools, plazas, and a hospital. But Echeverria's term ended and the investors he’d sought never materialized. It was two long decades later that the first expatriates arrived, looking for their little slice of Mexico’s stunning Pacific coast. Since then, more than 200 Americans and Canadians have bought lots and built homes along the cobbled grid of streets designed by Echeverria, and the town’s population has blossomed to 2,200 people, many of them descendents of the original four families.
San Pancho's wide, mile long beach is home to one of the country’s most successful sea turtle rescue operations, and an ideal spot to watch the annual fall and winter migration of dolphins and whales.
No building in town exceeds three stories San Pancho has kept in touch with nature and its vast array of birds, everything from parrots to pelicans, feel at home. The town has a sense of exclusivity which has created a strong, and growing , demand for real estate.
A 45 minute drive north of the Puerto Vallarta International airport, the town is serviced by an array of taxi services as well as an extensive bus service to all points south and north. San Pancho is close enough to Vallarta shopping - Costco, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Home Depot -- for convenience but distant enough to appeal to folks looking for the more serene side of tropical life.
In early 2008, San Pancho was designated as the Culture Capital of the state of Nayarit. A performing arts center is under construction and its impressive plans include scheduled concerts, dance recitals, folkloric performances, and full scale operas, as well as workshops and living spaces for artists. The Collective San Pancho, an independent group of local and international artists, has been exhibiting paintings and crafts in the town's plazas and its many galleries for the last five years.
Ironically, long after his term ended Echeverria's dream of an ideal Mexican community has finally been realized.
San Pancho Fact Sheet
Name--San Pancho is an affectionate nickname for the town of San Francisco in the state of Nayarit.
Location---Coastal community, 45 minutes north of the Vallarta’s international airport, in the heart of the sought alter "RIVIERA NAYARIT“ coastal area.
Population--Approx. 2,200--1% foreigners in the summer months and 7% in the winter months
Amenities--paved cobble stone roads, hospital, schools, town water, sewers, and reliable electric, phone and high speed internet service.
Setting---mountains, jungle, ocean, sea breezes, sunsets and cultures all blend in together to create a surreal environment.
Beach--the beach is wide, clean and never crowded and is considered one of the best on the west coast.
Wild Life----Sea turtles, whales, dolphins & the surrounding jungle is home to a great variety of birds
Shopping--All basic supplies can be found in town with the added advantage of a major supermarket only a half hour away. A multitude of Boutiques and service providers can be found up and down the main street. The proximity of Vallarta, only 45 minutes away, is also a major convenience.
Restaurants---Considering it’s small population, an unusual number of restaurants can be found in San Pancho ---- 3 high end restaurants attract locals and customers from Vallarta and the many small towns and communities in the Riviera Nayarit area. Several breakfast and luncheon establishments can be found on the main street as well as a multitude of excellent taco stands.
Activities---Fishing, horseback riding, bird watching, Polo matches to watch or participate in, swimming, kayaking, various tours, yoga, Tai Chi, jungle trails, surfing, massages, soccer as well as many major golf courses that are within an easy drive. There are also environmental and community service programs and activities to get involved in.
Crime---very safe neighborhood.
Investors---Investors in San Pancho real estate are folks who are planning their retirement, retirees, snow birds and weekenders from Guadalajara. Business opportunities, including rental income, are on the minds of many of the investors as well as estate planning issues.
Real Estate Investment----San Pancho is not a high density community and no building exceeds three stories. This has given the town a strong sense of exclusivity keeping the demand for real estate high compared to the supply. This surplus of demand has had a positive effect on land values, house values and rental income.
Cultural center---Not surprising, in 2008, San Pancho was designated the cultural capital of Nayarit and, in particular, the Riviera Nayarit coastal area. To this end a performing arts center is now under construction.
